1. O God, we are gathered here under the shelter of your wings, nurtured by your motherly love, and encouraged, then, to fly by faith on the wind of your spirit. You have spoken to us, saying "They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles." Teach us how to wait, then, that we may learn how to fly. May this nest we call our "EFM family" be built with sturdy materials. Don't let us forget, though, that this nest was not created as a fortress behind which to hide, but as a perch from which to take off. And strengthen us with the assurance that we do not fly alone. This we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.